Today's Vinylmation Beginner's Guide post will showcase some display ideas for your Vinylmation collection. My initial hesitation with buying Vinylmation was, "What do I do with them?" I thought their uniform shape made them look fantastic when displayed all together, not messy and tacky like some other types of collectibles I had seen displayed. I just had to figure out how.
My personal display has taken many forms and changed over the years as my collection has grown. I'll be sharing that in another post. But for this post, here are some ideas of different ways to show off your Vinylmation treasures.
Let's start with tabletop display ideas. These options can sit on dressers, shelves, bookcases, desks, media stands, and anywhere else you can think of, which is great if you don't want to have to buy new furniture to accommodate your Vinylmation. Aside from just placing your vinyls on these items, here are some ways to display your collection in a more tidy, organized fashion, and maybe even allow more to be stored in that same space.
Shot Glass Display Cases
Shot glass display cases are often the perfect size for 3" Vinylmation and Jrs. Depending on the shape of the individual figure, this option will not work for Park Starz figures most of the time. Shot glass display boxes can usually house 24 Vinylmation, but some accommodate more or less than that. Target has a shot glass case/shadow box that would hold 28 figures and retails for $39.99. Shot glass display cases can also hang on the wall if you prefer (more on wall options later).
Multi Level Display Boxes
(Photo Credit: DizThruBrownEyes)
If your collection is too big for the options I've just mentioned, or you don't like those ideas, let's take a look at some freestanding display ideas:
Cube Organizer
Cube Organizers have the advantage of being as big or as small as you want them to be. 2 cubes, 4 cubes, 12 cubes, you can decide. Some models even allow for easy add-ons as your collection grows. One of the benefits of a cube organizer is that it can display every type of Vinylmation: Jr., 3", 9", and Park Starz (most of which are shown above). Some of the small cube organizers can even hang on the wall if you prefer. You could even incorporate the Multi Level Display box into this organization method. Cube organizers are available in several sizes and colors, at numerous stores including Amazon, Walmart, Target and Pottery Barn.
Display Cases
Display cases are another popular way for collections to showcase their Vinylmation. You can often move the placement of the shelves within the cases to allow your 9" figures to fit, as well as 3", Jr. and Park Starz. Again, you could even add Multi Level Display boxes. These cases give great visibility to your figures, and if you're able to place them in a location where you can see all sides of the vinyls, that would be perfection! Some figures' greatest artwork is on the back and you wouldn't be letting that go to waste. I've also seen some incredible things done with lighting in display cases, as well as turntables if you're feeling creative. If you want to take this route, I recommend IKEA. I love how theirs look and I think they're inexpensive.
Bookcases
This might be the easiest option, because there's likely to be a bookcase in your house already that you can re-purpose without needing to buy more furniture. Again, you can usually change the level of the shelves to accommodate 3", Jr., 9" and Park Starz figures. And again you could add Multi Level Display boxes if you wanted to. You can pretty much buy bookcases anywhere you can think of.
Maybe you had some form of wall display in mind. Here are some ideas on that front:
Shelving
Shelves come in all different sizes, styles and colors. You can also pick some up really inexpensively and add more shelves easily as your collection grows. Depending how you put them up and what size you buy, you can make sure your shelves will hold every size of Vinylmation. If your shelf is wide enough, you could also add Multi Level Display boxes. Otherwise, the more rows of Vinylmation you have on your shelf, the less you'll see them. (More on how I displayed my collection on shelves in a later post). I bought my shelves at Target.
Custom Shelving by Kasper Custom Creation
If you really want something to show off your Disney Side, consider custom shelving. I've seen various sellers on Etsy over the years with all kinds of wonderful creations. They can make varying sizes to allow for 3" and Jr. figures, as well as some Park Starz. However, this option will exclude displaying your 9" figures. Putting several different styled custom shelves together on your wall would be like another collection in itself!
Of course, you're only limited by your imagination! (And maybe your budget!) These are all simply suggestions. I've seen and heard all kinds of things that I haven't mentioned here, as well as some really inventive creations that collectors have made themselves. If you have pictures of how you've displayed your collection that you would like to share, please feel free to send them my way! I'd love to see them! And maybe I'll post again in the future showing some of your pictures!
